When I got in the door, Mike and John (one of the owners) greeted me. We were joined later by Margot (I'm not sure that spelling is correct). Mike V. is on the left, John is on the right.
(Have a lookee at the bar. It's a huge barrel, with barrelheads finished into the top. Very cool.)

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As a Kentuckian, I consider it my civic duty to drink Bourbon, smoke and bet the ponies. Its a tuff job, but someone has to do it...

Mike,
Here's a shot of the selection. And I especially enjoyed Allen's (our very wise bartender... ) knowlege of what we were drinking at the moment.
Here's a shot of behind the bar. They tell me last count was 126 different Bourbons...yes!!

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Last edited by brendaj on Wed Aug 03, 2005 7:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.

As a Kentuckian, I consider it my civic duty to drink Bourbon, smoke and bet the ponies. Its a tuff job, but someone has to do it...

Actually Brenda It is 126 at this time. They are out some things such as Stagg and need to get some more. This number also includes some ryes, corn and Tennessee whiskey as well. Even so it is a great selection.

Here's Allen, moving so fast he blurs the shot... Seriously, he's pouring Mike a taste of something that started with an H (Hancock's?)... It's a tuff job, working your way thru the 'Bourbon alphabet'...

Sorry about that point Mike...

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As a Kentuckian, I consider it my civic duty to drink Bourbon, smoke and bet the ponies. Its a tuff job, but someone has to do it...

I ordered from the single barrel flight. My choices were Blantons, Elmer T. Lee, Evan Willaims Single Barrel, Four Roses Single Barrel, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel or Kentucky Spirit (pick 3). I chose Blantons, Four Roses Single Barrel and Kentucky Spirit.

Here's an odd thing. When Allen brought three glasses to me, I took a sip of each one. My initial reaction was the Blantons was untouchable. The hands-down winner. However, with time, air, and repeated sipping, we looked up and it was the Kentucky Spirit that was gone first. This in itself says much..

I choose Kentucky Spirit first
Blantons (93 proof) a close second
Four Roses Single Barrel third

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As a Kentuckian, I consider it my civic duty to drink Bourbon, smoke and bet the ponies. Its a tuff job, but someone has to do it...

Mark,
Yepper, Mike's been saying it, and it's true. Bourbons Bistro rocks!
I managed to wrangle a promise of a recipe for chocolate bread pudding with caramel and Bourbon glace'... Don't have it yet, but I'll pass it along asap.

Here's Chef Chris in the kitchen. It's pretty cool, you can stand on the sidewalk infront of the building and watch them cook!

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As a Kentuckian, I consider it my civic duty to drink Bourbon, smoke and bet the ponies. Its a tuff job, but someone has to do it...

Looks like a very cool, comfortable place to enjoy a nice variety of bourbons. BTW, Brenda, from your picture of your 3 bourbons, is that a typical pour? If so, its quite generous. Also Brenda, there's some nice pix there, thanks for sharing and giving the rest of us a "look" at the place.

I hope to be able to visit with y'all one of these days at the Bistro!

The Bourbon's Bistro has been getting some flak from a nightlife writer in the paper about their prices. They are more expensive than the Jockey Silks (the bar that replaced D Marie's at the Galt House) but are pretty much the same as Maker's Mark Bar. The difference in my opinion (and why Mr. Pucket is an idiot in my opinion as well) is that both Jockey Silks and Maker's Mark Bar has multi million dollar corporations behind them and can afford to charge what they want. Bourbon's Bistro is just a couple of guys who love bourbon trying to make a go in the restaurant business. And Believe me, Louisville is a tough market with more than their fare share of great restaurants as competition. To balance their higher prices than Jockey Silks, Jason and John insist upon a good healthy 1 ounce pour and that their staff be knowledgable. In my opinion it is worth the extra price for great pours, knowledgable staff and fantastic selection with good food to boot.

A footnote here: The last time I was in Jockey Silks the person behind the bar told me her idea of a good bourbon was Booker's because it was high proof and really burned when doing beer and bourbon shooters. I was not impressed.

BTW, Brenda, from your picture of your 3 bourbons, is that a typical pour?

Pretty sweet, huh? I'm not sure if that's typical, but it was perfect for me. That flight was $18. The bartender's knowledge and imput made it a bargain.

Mike,
I've been to the Maker's Lounge. This will probably say something about my age, but I found it loud, young and far too full of party to be comfortable. I couldn't hear myself think... I'd love to visit the Jockey Silks, just to check it out. But Bourbons Bistro has a laid-back-lets-talk-about-Bourbon kinda atmosphere. I really liked it and I will be back!
Bj

As a Kentuckian, I consider it my civic duty to drink Bourbon, smoke and bet the ponies. Its a tuff job, but someone has to do it...